Thursday, March 29, 2018

I believe in a God that hears prayers and answers them. I've witnessed the miraculous gift of answered prayer. And, I want to pray for you. I've started weekly Power of Prayer post every Thursday. We are now on week 115. If you are needing prayer in an area of your life, please leave a comment and I'll commit to pray for your need or request. You can be as general or as specific as you like. Whether it be for healing, salvation, finances, emotions, or another area of life, I'd like to lift it up in prayer.

Acts 4:33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Elephants are social animals. Maggie and Annabelle used to live together at the Alaska Zoo. But after Annabelle died, Maggie was all alone. For years, zookeepers tried to keep her happy (and warm). But ultimately they sent Maggie to live at a sanctuary (PAWS). Now she is happy and at home with her new herd of other elephants. This is a heartwarming story of how zoos ensure the best for the animals in their care—even if the best is not at their zoo.

My Review:

A Spring 2018 release from Arbordale Publishing, Maggie, Alaska's Last Elephant starts out somewhat sad. It tells of two elephants who live in a zoo and keep each other company. Unfortunately, one of the elephants dies and the other is left feeling sad. She befriends a tire.

Maggie, the remaining elephant, gets sick one day and it's determined that she needs to be moved to a warm place with her own kind. In order for this to happen, Maggie had to learn how to stay still in a large crate while it was flown on a plane. Once the elephant was transferred to PAWS, a rescue group, she was encouraged to rebuild her strength and meet other elephants. The story has a happy ending, with Maggie being acquainted with animals of the same kind and being much happier in her new home.

Although this book has colored illustrations, the story itself is based on true events. It's a story that tells the process in which Maggie was transported from the zoo to her new home. There's details on how Maggie is introduced to the new place and the new elephants. Readers will also learn what elephants like and how they behave.

The "For Creative Minds" section in the back of the book, after the story, goes into detail about elephant herds and elephants in zoos. There's also an informative Q & A with Maggie's current keeper, Michelle Harvey.

I received book for review from Arbordale Publishing. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Ask me in a Cats vs. Dogs poll, and I'll vote for cats every time. Not that I don't like dogs. Got one of my own. But I definitely have a preference of one species over the other.

Even though I've always had a preference for cats, none have ever stole my heart like Misty and Trader Jimmy have. I'd never liken them to my kids, but they're definitely part of the family.

Misty (the gray female) is the pretentious one of the two. She does her own thing and has no need to be bothered by mortal humans. That is, until I lay down to sleep. Then it's game on! She'll flop over like she's in a Cow Tippin' competition and expect to be petted. Even if I'm half asleep, I oblige.

Trader Jimmy (the black and white male) isn't exactly needy but will take all the attention someone's willing to give. He's sweet as sugar, and is a great cuddler.

Do you have any cats?
Do you prefer cats over dogs, or vice versa?
Happy WW!

Some families are filled with so much love they can't help but drive each other crazy.

Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family's next reunion. On the one hand, she'll get to see everyone in her mama's family--folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there'll be more drama than you can shake a stick at.

The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law's deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunions . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay's teen self, but the woman she's become doesn't know what to make of this.

Shay's contentment is challenged, and she's determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she's looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet predictable life? One thing is certain: Life in the Bucklin family is never boring.

My Review:

The first book in the Bucklin Family Reunion series, High Cotton centers around a female character named Shay. She's been invited to a family reunion (which are becoming more frequent within the family) and has qualms about going. In addition to contending with the upcoming family reunion, Shay is hit from all sides with situations that involve her, directly and indirectly.

This book is told from different character point-of-views, so it took me some time to sort out who was who. Each character has a connection to Shay. It reminded me of "The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon". There's definitely a Southern feel with this book, including people with the names of Digger and Puddin. Other than the thick saturation of a Southern personification, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the others in this series.

I received book for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

It's another edition of Random Tuesday Thoughts, hosted by Stacy Uncorked. Play along, will ya?!

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Because I'm glutton for punishment need to lose weight, I've started back up with taking fitness classes at NuFit. I was going pretty faithfully but quit when my bestie moved. A year later and I realize it's time to quit with the excuses. Somehow I even talked my husband into jumping on the bandwagon. Say what!!! Whether I lose weight or not, I'm in it to win it. My body's not getting any younger.

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Logan and I watched I Can Only Imagine in theater recently. It's a film that tells of Bart Millard's story behind the famous Christian song, I Can Only Imagine. If you plan on seeing it but haven't yet, here's a tip: Bring Kleenex.....an entire box. There's not one person I've spoken with who hasn't cried during this movie. It's definitely powerful.
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This meme, and similar others, have been popping up on my FB feed. As many of you know, my kids aren't wee ones anymore. In fact, one of them is married with two step-daughters! You'd think that would be a sign for me to quit with the Easter baskets.

You don't have to guess.....I've been suckered into making Easter baskets for another year. Woe is me.

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My great-nephew, Harley, celebrated his 2nd birthday the other day. He's the cutest little thing I ever did see.

Hearing is an important sense for animals’ survival. Ears give animals vital information to help them find food or listen for predators ready to attack. This continuation of Mary Holland’s award-winning Animal Anatomy and Adaptations series features a wide variety of animal ears and how animals use them. Did you know that some animals have ears on their legs? Like the eyes, mouths, legs, and tails featured in previous books, animal ears come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes—a perfect match for each animal’s needs.

My Review:

Did you know that a katydid's ears are on its legs? Or that beavers have special flaps in their ears that act like ear plugs? Readers will learn all this and more in Animal Ears. With beautiful realistic pictures of different animal species, this book shows the way many animals use their ears. It's interesting and educational.

The 'For Creative Minds' section in the back of the book gives readers the chance to match animals with their ears, learn the different reason uses that animals might use their ears. This section explains how ears hear, and answers some questions about animal ears.

I received book for review from Arbordale Publishing. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

When mild mannered yet high performing marketing consultant, Kelly Carson, is unceremoniously fired over the phone by his pretentious boss just weeks before Christmas, it becomes the catalyst for much needed life changes. Falling under the unexpected mentorship of an unbalanced Hollywood actress currently escaping her own career problems, Kelly follows Terri on a last-minute trip to Hawaii, putting into motion a series of hilarious events and misfortunes that teach Kelly how to let loose, accept the fact that he has a girl’s name, what to do when you mistakenly eat an entire bag of edibles during a plane ride, and, ultimately, how to learn when to no give a f*ck. This book will have you laughing from the first page and rooting for Kelly until the very end.

My Review:

Go to your quiet place and lock the door before you start reading All the F*cks I Cannot Give. For one, you won't want to put the book down and don't need any interruptions. For another, you don't want to be caught LOLing like a hyena in public.

If you don't mind a few lot of curse words and outlandish scenarios, you'll love All The F*cks I Cannot Give. It tells of an uptight, nonconfrontational guy named Kelly who is married to a lesbian and gets fired over phone while at the airport. (By the way, the events involving his lesbian wife are the best part of the book!) Down on his luck, Kelly meets an actress. She talks him into a trip to Maui. While there, Kelly finally gets laid. He also gets caught peeing in a sink, but gets accused of doing something much more perverse. Kelly gets into a fight with paparazzi, and a plane gets detoured because he gets high on edibles. And, that's all just in the first half of the book!

Big kudos to author, Michael Carlon, for this humorous, kinky, gonzo, and amusing book. It was absorbing, from beginning to end.

I received book for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Ahh! Early spring - the time for segueing your New Year's resolutions into swimsuit season resolutions. In both seasons, I always find myself making goals I struggle to keep. I tell myself I'll stay in and cook more, dropping the guilty convenience of fast food for healthy homemade meals. I end up spending all my time looking up recipes and never even make it to the kitchen! Finding meals that please a crowd—and are quick enough to make on a busy Tuesday night, but healthy enough to fit into our lifestyle goals—sometimes feels next to impossible.

So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered Three Bridges — delicious pastas and sauces made with simple, wholesome ingredients. All their products are free from artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives, antibiotics, and hormones. It's so refreshing to look at the nutritional information and feel good about what you're feeding your family. And with a huge line of products—everything from butternut squash ravioli to parmesan gnocchi—you can try something new every week!

When you only have 20 minutes to get a meal on the table before rushing off to the next activity, it's so tempting to heat up a frozen dinner and call it a day. What I like about Three Bridges is how it combines the convenience of a ready-to-do meals with the thoughtfulness of a home-cooked dinner. You can set the water to boil, throw the pasta in the pot, heat the sauce, and in 25 minutes you've got a gourmet dinner!

>> FOODS THAT FIT YOUR PREFERENCES

One thing I really like about Three Bridges is all the different kinds of pastas. They offer plenty of gluten-free products, and the website lists dozens of recipes categorized by common dietary preferences. It has sections for vegetarian-friendly meals, cheese-lover recipes, protein-packed dinners, and simple one-pot meals for when you're in a time crunch.

>> FEELING GREAT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE EATING

Pasta shouldn't be a guilty pleasure! Three Bridges cuts out the bad stuff in other processed foods. You can prepare a meal with their Organic Portobello Mushroom Ravioli and have the peace of mind knowing you're not putting any high fructose corn syrup, trans fat, or any artificial flavors into your body—just delicious simple pasta as it should be.

Home cooks can buy Three Bridges products in the refrigerated section, and can visit www.threebridges.com, which features cooking instructions and recipe inspiration for healthy and fun meals such as Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella Ravioli Ratatouille, Organic Linguini with Spring Greens and Lemon, and Organic Spinach and Cheese Tortellini in a Butternut Broth with Crispy Chickpeas and Shiitake Mushrooms.

Have you tried Three Bridges pastas and sauces?
What do you love about Three Bridges?

I received products in exchange for this post. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Monday, March 26, 2018

I rarely get a good night's (or day's sleep). My mind runs a million miles a minute, before finally wearing down. If I'm having a dream, I'm more than likely acting it out. I've hit and kicked my husband more times than anyone deserves. I also require a fan to be on, and want ultimate comfort.

The pillows I had been using were okay, but not fantastic. I'd have to double up on them to get proper alignment. I'm also notorious for sleeping on my hands, with the pillow underneath, so I have proper stability. In turn, my fingers usually turn numb and ache when I wake up. Told ya, I'm a lousy sleeper!

My sleeping conditions still aren't ideal but I've come across a pillow that's perfect for me! And, I almost bet, it'd be perfect for you too. I have to warn you, it's a little on the high price point for a pillow. But, the relief it's given me makes me believe it's worth the cost. Right now, the pillow is being crowdfunded through Kickstarter. It's expected to be available in May of this year.

The ComfortAdjust™ Pillow was designed to provide unprecedented neck support and alignment. It is the only memory foam pillow with an integrated and adjustable neck support roll.

adjustable neck support roll

The ComfortAdjust™ Pillow’s ergonomic design thoughtfully accommodates back sleepers and side sleepers, and can improve sleep posture. Just pick your side and dial in your comfort. The side with the mesh square is designed to align and support back sleepers. If you’re a side sleeper, just turn the pillow over for optimal alignment and support.

You should adjust the neck support roll with the pillow lying on a flat surface. I prefer my pillow to be a little on the firm side, so that's where I adjust it to. You can find the neck support roll by unzipping the pillow case. When done, just zip the case back up. the ComfortAdjust™ Pillow lets you choose your level of comfort and support with the turn of a dial!

The pillow itself is made of memory foam and will fit a standard queen size pillowcase. The cover of the pillow is made of an innovative fabric called ADAPTIVE® and it was tested by the Textile Protection and Comfort Center. It's been proven to keep your head cooler.

The ComfortAdjust™ Pillow is, by far, the best pillow I've ever owned. My head sinks into it like a marshmallow and my neck feels supported. I've been sleeping on my hands a lot less because this pillow gives me the firmness and support I both want and need.

I received product for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Sunday, March 25, 2018

I always take advantage of the photo opportunities when Walgreens offers them. I have loads of pictures on my camera that need printed. In the next few days I will be sitting my butt at my computer, uploading and ordering prints from Walgreens.

Receive a free 8x10 enlargement by using the code EASTERPIX at online checkout. Offer expires Wednesday, March 28th.

Also, receive 40% off everything photo related by using the code BUNNYPICS at online checkout. Offer expires Saturday, March 31st.

With health and wellness – plus keeping your calories under control – on so many people's plates, VitaTops is poised to become the go-to food of 2018. Beloved by people from coast to coast, this wholesome line of muffin tops delivers delicious taste.

First to market with 100-calorie servings, Vitatops® are leading the way to a holistic approach to maximize satisfaction with minimum calories, with products that are low fat and high in fiber and rich in nutrients. Founded in 1999, Vitatops® are now sold at stores nationwide and at www.vitalicious.com.

VitaTops has recently debuted two new flavors, among the ones they already had. VitaTops Protein Banana Chocolate Chip has only 130 calories, 8 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. VitaTops Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter has only 150 calories, 8 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. These two new protein infused VitaTops products offer the perfect sweet spot of high fiber and protein, which helps fuel energy longer and also helps curb cravings.

I actually had to visit a few grocery stores before I was able to locate VitaTops. It seems that a couple of them carry VitaTops; I just couldn't find them. Come to find out, they were located in the freezer section of the healthy foods aisle. And, the flavor selection was limited. I opted to try VitaTops Deep Chocolate which is made with organic ingredients, like whole grain flour and cocoa powder.

Each package of VitaTops has four individually packaged muffin tops. You can find them in the freezer section but need to thaw them before consuming. My favorite way to eat them is by nuking them in the microwave for a few seconds.

One VitaTop is enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. I don't like overly sweet foods and the Deep Chocolate flavor is just the right balance. The muffin part itself has a somewhat bittersweet chocolate taste while the chocolate chips give a more sweet flavor. My teen boys are even fans!

Win It!

One person will win a free product coupon for any one VitaTops product.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*

I received product for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

To celebrate their launch in the USA, Rocksalt Prints has set up an amazing competition. You can WIN three framed 24”x36” Star Wars artworks from their online collection, worth $650. Competition ends on the 17th April, 2018.

As an added bonus, by entering this competition, you will also have the chance to collect extra entry points and earn rewards along the way.

100 points - 15% OFF Discount Code

200 point - 25% OFF Discount Code

400 points - FREE 11"x14" Print of your choice

800 points - FREE Star Wars T-Shirt of your choice

Will you be entering the giveaway?Who's your favorite Star Wars character?

This post contains a referral link. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

I admittedly don't know a whole lot about baseball. I know that the object of the game is to hit a ball that's pitched to you, and run the bases to the home plate. Here are a few more tidbits I know about the game:

1. A Grand Slam is a good thing. That's when a batter hits a ball waaay out there and it's impossible to catch.

2. Pete Rose was a big name in the sport until he did some shady stuff.

3. In the area where I live, it's Cardinals or Cubs. There's diehards for both teams, and most of those fans are very vocal about why their team is the best.

If you want to learn more about baseball or know a fan of the sport, then I think The Baseball Fanbook would be perfect.

A title that will be available soon from Sports Illustrated Kids Books, THE BASEBALL FANBOOK (on sale April 3, 2018 / ages 8 & up) is such a fun little book that readers are going to be obsessed with, especially the MLB quizzes at the end of the book. There's a lot to love in this one!

This is the next installment in the popular Fanbook series (The Football Fanbook, August 2017), and is chock-full of all the nerdy-cool insider knowledge that fans ready for next-level, in-depth stats need to know. Tailor-made for baseball fanatics who know the basics of the sport they love and are looking to become super fans, this new fanbook is filled with fun trivia, unique lingo, and illustrated behind-the-skills how-to's. Chapters include Team Tidbits (facts about every MLB team), Think Like a Manager (essential strategies), He Reminds Me Of (comparing current plays to legendary greats), and much more!

The Baseball Fanbook pulls out all the stops. This hardback book has high-quality pictures, and is filled with enough baseball info to make your head spin. Each chapter is divided into sections. For instance, chapter 6 compares stars of today to stars of yesteryear. Chapter 2 is filled with obscure facts and noteworthy baseball tidbits. There's even a page that shows how to properly chew sunflower seeds. Now I can have some knowledge when I'm with a group of Cardinals fans. I might just amaze them that I know the Cardinals were originally called the St. Louis Brown Stockings, or that Rogers Hornsby's .424 average in 1924 remains an NL record.

I'm still not a huge fan of baseball, but found The Baseball Fanbook to be interesting. The lingo, trivia and stats were fascinating. My 19 yoa son is more into the sport than I am, and the book has been handed off to him to read. So far, he's really enjoying it.

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Our church has started a fairly new program called ROOTS (Reaching Out for Opportunities To Serve). It pairs volunteers up with the special needs population and has them come together for activities. The first ROOTS Christmas Program took place in December. The second event happened last Tuesday, just in time to help for Easter.

Rhonda helping her Star Buddy fill Easter eggs

Before getting to work, we all stuffed our faces with Sloppy Joe sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, chocolate chip cookies, and lemonade. Afterwards, our first project was to fill 500 plastic Easter eggs with candy. That actually took no time at all. Then, we filled each bucket with the eggs and added toys. Each finished bucket will go to local children who attend Early Childhood.

buckets waiting to be filled

Then the real fun began! Music was turned on and the place went wild. From personal experience, most people with disabilities love to dance. I love that there's no inhibition. They will dance and sing without a care in the world. The carefree, sunny atmosphere is contagious.

"Make the world your stage"

This is the second time I've taken part in a ROOTS project and, each time, I leave with a full, happy heart. Can't wait to do it again.

You may have noticed in my post right before this one that I'm taking part in a group giveaway for ERA Organics Shampoo and Conditioner. Be sure to enter before the end of 4/5 to win a Shampoo and Conditioner set. You can also read detailed information about ERA Organics Natural Shampoo and Conditioner. For example, you'll learn that the shampoo is designed to help you strengthen follicles, fight frizz, prevent breakage, strengthen and moisturize your hair and scalp with our robust 9-in-1 hypoallergenic shampoo formula. The conditioner is natural and organic, and has ingredients proven to give you stronger, healthier, more luxurious hair.

And if you don't love it - you will get your money back!

Since the giveaway post has so much information about ERA Organics Shampoo and Conditioner, I won't repeat it all here. But, I'll let you in on my personal results with the products.

I've used other brands of organic shampoos and conditioners in the past. The main difference I found with comparing them to ERA Organics Shampoo and Conditioner is that my hair doesn't feel dried out with the latter. In fact, it feels softer and healthier. I also like how I don't have to use a lot to make it feel like I actually have shampoo and conditioner on my hair. The subtle fragrance is nice. The shampoo and conditioner, paired together, helps my hair look and feel its best.

Taking good care of your hair is essential. Between all the coloring, heat from an hair dryer and flat iron, and other things, your hair can easily get damages. Finding a good shampoo and conditional is essential.

I think you are going to love ERA Organics Natural Shampoo and Conditioner. You don't have to have dull lifeless hair! These products will help you strengthen follicles, fight frizz, prevent breakage, strengthen and moisturize your hair and scalp with our robust 9-in-1 hypoallergenic shampoo formula. And if you don't love it - you will get your money back!

You always need a great conditioner to go with your shampoo so they compliment each other. The ERA Organics Premium Natural Hair Conditioner. The natural and organic hair conditioner with ingredients proven to give you stronger, healthier, more luxurious hair. Say goodbye to brittle, frizzy, unmanageable dry hair. The robust, award winning natural and organic formula is designed to nourish your hair from root to tip. Whether you have dry hair, dry scalp, curly hair or damaged hair- get thicker, more manageable hair you’ll love.
It has ingredients your hair and scalp will love, including: Argan Oil, Kiwi, Pomegranate, Kukui Seed, Ginger Root, Burdock Root, Aloe Vera, Sunflower Seed Oil and more. Best conditioner for damaged, dry hair. It is also Silicone free, sulfate free, cruelty free with no parabens, toxins, SLS, alcohol and it is non-toxic. and actually good for your hair.

As a small family run business, they want you to love your hair and be totally satisfied with your purchase. Buy now with their 60 Day “Love Your Hair or Your Money Back” Guarantee!

Special offers and product promotions

Save 10% each on Qualifying items offered by Era Organics when you purchase 2 or more. Enter code ERASALE1 at checkout. Here's how (restrictions apply)

Save 15% each on Qualifying items offered by Era Organics when you purchase 3 or more. Enter code ERASALE2 at checkout. Here's how (restrictions apply)

Save 20% each on Qualifying items offered by Era Organics when you purchase 4 or more. Enter code ERASALE3 at checkout. Here's how (restrictions apply)

ME

The Short of It

In addition to writing for my blog, Heck Of A Bunch, I also work full-time as a 911 Dispatcher. I'm married with a blended family of six kids and a dog. In what spare time I have left, I'm a referee for the local roller derby team.

PR Welcome

If you'd like me to try out your product or sponsor a giveaway, please don't be shy. I'd be honored to team up and have some fun! E-mail me at partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com.I am interested in reviewing your products and/or hosting a giveaway. I require a sample product for all reviews. Sample products will not be returned and you will be responsible for all shipping costs.Please allow up to 2 weeks for your review to be completed. I will send you an e-mail when the products arrives and again with the link once the review is posted on my blog. Thanks!

Blog Events

FTC Disclosure

I receive products for review from companies so I can try them and give my full, honest opinion. The opinions within the post are of my own and I am not influenced in any way.
It is the reader's responsibility to research all facts regarding a product.
At times I write a sponsored post and that fact is included in the post. As well, I include the fact that I have received a product for review.